Apopka police car shot

Officer may have thwarted hold-up

Apopka police searched this morning for a person who fired a shotgun at a police cruiser after the officer had gone into a convenience store.

No one was injured.

The shooting occurred about 4 a.m. at the 7-Eleven at 1117 East Semoran Blvd. while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied. The officer had walked into the store to check on the night clerk and get a cup of coffee.

"It appears at this time that the officer foiled an attempted armed robbery," police spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Walsh said.

Security video shows an unidentified person dressed in a hoodie and carrying a shotgun pacing in front of the convenience store and peering through the front doors moments before the officer arrived. Walsh said investigators don't think the shooter was targeting the officer.

"We don't know if the person was taking out his frustration or whatever," Walsh said. "Thank God our officer was not shot or ambushed."

Police said the suspect may have been looking through the glass doors for a clerk who could open the cash register when he was scared off by headlights of the police car turning into the parking lot.

While inside the store, the officer heard a shot fired and left the store to investigate. He found that his vehicle had been splattered with shotgun pellets and called for backup.

Officers searched the area with a police dog but have not yet made any arrests in the incident.

Police urged anyone with information to contact CRIMELINE at 407-423-TIPS407-423-TIPS which is 407-423-8477407-423-8477.